Friendship provides powerful benefits for your physical and mental health. It’s associated with a stronger immune system, better self-esteem, decreased risk of dementia, and reduced feelings of isolation and loneliness. Friendship can even lower your risk of heart disease and help you recover faster from illness or surgery.
However, after years of building relationships with coworkers and close family members, you may not have noticed your social circle shrinking. So now that it’s time to build new social connections during retirement, you might feel a little out of place in your new senior living community.
Don’t worry! Read this guide on how to make friends when you’re older, and get ready for a new group of lifelong friends.
Practice Self-Confidence
Practicing or projecting self-confidence is an incredible way to convince yourself you can attain a goal you don’t think you have the skills to achieve. Playful, positive visualizations of you enjoying quality time with friends can be just what you need to build real confidence to get out in your community and make lifelong friends.
Start or Join Resident-Led Interest Groups in Your Community
Resident-led interest groups are an important part of any senior living community, because they’re perfect ways for each resident to find friends who share their interests. Welcome clubs, garden clubs, birthday celebration groups, walking groups – these and many others are fantastic ways to make new friends and enhance your community’s culture.
Get to Know Other New Residents
Senior living communities are a wonderful place to spend retirement, which means you’re probably not the only new resident. Look for other new residents or welcome residents who move in after you. You can explore the community together, offer each other advice and encourage each other to try new activities.
Pursue Your Interests and Hobbies in Common Areas
Making use of your senior living community’s amenities and common areas is a great way to stay social and pursue your interests and hobbies. Instead of staying in your apartment and browsing the internet on your phone or tablet, head to the community computer center or drink your morning cup of coffee in a social gathering area. You never know who you’ll meet when you’re enjoying the beautiful spaces in your new community.
Make Time to Get to Know the Staff
At Peace Village, each member of our team is dedicated to helping our residents lead happy, healthy lifestyles. We work to understand your interests, so we can guide you toward activities, amenities and events that provide abundant social opportunities. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our team to help you settle into our community and provide for more tips on how to make friends when you’re older.
Look for Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering is packed with a variety of benefits that help you and your community. It’s a good way to give back to a cause that’s important to you, boost your self-confidence and gain a greater sense of purpose, while also providing plenty of chances to meet new people. There are many intergenerational volunteer opportunities, which allows you to share your experiences and learn something new from younger generations.
Remember to Give Yourself Grace
Learning how to make friends when you’re older takes time, which is why it’s important to give yourself grace. Remember, most of your neighbors moved to your community for the chance to make new friends and enrich their retirement, so don’t be afraid to be bold and make the first move. You’ll be surprised how quickly the people in your new community welcome you with open arms.
Feel Welcomed the Moment You Arrive at Peace Village
At Peace Village, you’ll find fabulous dining venues, incredible amenities, and opportunities for an enriched social life around every corner. Schedule a tour or contact our retirement living counselors online to learn more about our community. We’ll be in touch shortly!